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​The feast of St. John Bosco will be celebrated on Sunday, January 28 (Parish Youth Day). The celebration begins with 10:00 Mass at St. Francis, followed by pizza and ice cream at the parish hall. All youth from both parishes are expected to attend, along with their parents. All parishioners from both parishes are invited.

Founder of the Salesian Society, John Bosco was born to poor parents near Castelnuovo, Piedmont, Italy, in August of 1815. His father died when he was two, and much of his education came from his mother and a parish priest. At age nine he dreamed of a life dedicated to the education of young people. On becoming a priest in 1841, he chose as his life's work: "Da mihi animas cetera tolle" ("Give me souls, take all the rest" Gen. 14: 21). He began his apostolate among poor young people with the founding of the Oratory, which he placed under the patronage of St. Francis of Sales. He led young people to Christ through his educational style, pastoral practices and a strong determination in the face of many hardships.

When he passed away on January 31, 1888, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him Father and Teacher of Youth. He was canonized on Easter Sunday of 1934.

* Confused? St. Bosco shows up with three first names. His Italian given name birth was Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco. The most popular variation of his name is "John." However, he is also referred to as "Don" which is an honorary title given to priests in Italy. There are colleges and high schools named after him that have used one or the other variation.

The feast of St. John Bosco will be celebrated on Sunday, January 29 (Parish Youth Day). The celebration begins with 10:00 Mass at St. Francis, followed by pizza and ice cream at the parish hall. All youth from both parishes are expected to attend, along with their parents. All parishioners from both parishes are invited.

Founder of the Salesian Society, John Bosco was born to poor parents near Castelnuovo, Piedmont, Italy, in August of 1815. His father died when he was two, and much of his education came from his mother and a parish priest. At age nine he dreamed of a life dedicated to the education of young people. On becoming a priest in 1841, he chose as his life's work: "Da mihi animas cetera tolle" ("Give me souls, take all the rest" Gen. 14: 21). He began his apostolate among poor young people with the founding of the Oratory, which he placed under the patronage of St. Francis of Sales. He led young people to Christ through his educational style, pastoral practices and a strong determination in the face of many hardships.

When he passed away on January 31, 1888, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him Father and Teacher of Youth. He was canonized on Easter Sunday of 1934.

​This is the community website for the St. Francis de Hieronymo and St. Ambrose Catholic Churches in Neosho County, Kansas. Both churches are located in the center of the historic nine-county southeast Kansas area. We share one of the richest Catholic Heritages in Southern Kansas and the Four-State Region. For more information about our churches, history, organizations or programs browse our site including its links.